Tibet Train Travel

Many, many travelers ask us about Tibet train travel. If you are planning to begin in Lhasa on your visit to Tibet, is it better to fly or take the train?

For most people we recommend taking the train. The Tibet “sky” train — the highest train route in the world — is worth taking as a visual introduction to the immense, impressive spaces of the Tibetan Plateau. Traveling to Tibet by train can also help you acclimatize, just a little, to Tibet’s high altitude. But please don’t make the mistake of thinking that the train journey by itself will adjust your body to Lhasa’s elevation. Here are some facts about what is officially called the the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. (And below that, check out our most popular Tibet train travel posts.

TIBET TRAIN QUICK FACTS

Is oxygen pumped in? Yes, after a certain altitude is reached, and you can also use an individual air supply as well, but in our carriage, only one of four oxygen supplies worked! This makes us doubt if the oxygen that is pumped in works properly.Is it pressurized? No, that’s a myth.Are there doctors on the train? There are supposed to be but we saw zero evidence of any medical personnel.Best departure point for Tibet train travel: Xining (for views and acclimatizing purposes)Best time to take the train from Xining: We recommend the later trains, to see more of the TAR in daylight, but you will thus miss Qinghai Lake. How to buy tickets: We recommend buying through an agency, as the tickets are hugely in demand for much of the main tourist seasons, and the agencies have better chances. You can ask us here to put you in touch with a reliable, Tibetan-owned agency.When to buy tickets? Tickets generally go on sale 60 days in advance and will often sell out right away.Dates to avoid Tibet train travel: Avoid the Chinese national holidays in May and October. July, August and September are also very busy, and difficult to get good seats (or any seats at times).Best chance to book: Lowest season: November to JanuaryHow long to get to Lhasa? From Beijing, 3 days. From Xining (recommended) about 24 hours.

Almost all travelers have the same mistaken perception of the Tibet train (the Qinghai-Tibet Railway) as a way to travel to Lhasa. Read this post to avoid making this common mistake travelers make when taking the “sky train” to Lhasa, that leaves them feeling rotten when they arrive. Read more >>

A little preparation can go a long way to making your Tibet train experience an easy, peaceful journey that helps you acclimatize to Tibet while you get the first taste of her vast, beautiful vistas. Here are ten tips for your Beijing to Lhasa train trip. Read more >>

Many of the travelers who contact us for trips in Tibet have wanted to go to Lhasa for a long time. But most folks don’t know what to expect in a Lhasa tour, or what is possible to do in a short amount of time. Read more >>

If you only have a very short time in Tibet, you could take this tour rather than the high-risk fly in to Lhasa. (To tell the truth, if you think you can only get to Tibet once in your life, it’s worth saving up the time and money to make a longer trip of at least two weeks.) Read more